Wang Gou Dan's prayers failed. Not only did the group not die on the mountain, they also brought down two wild boars. Look at these two big guys, I heard that his southeast slapped them to death. Goodness, slapping a wild boar to death, what kind of skill is that? How am I going to get revenge?
Today is the auspicious day for the raising of the roof beam of the Yan family's new house. Except for Yan Xiaonan, who is still sleeping, everyone got up early. Xuemei had already prepared breakfast in the kitchen, so that they could finish eating early and get to work early.
Yesterday, they didn't catch any fish in the north, south, or southwest, so they skipped dinner. This morning, they were especially hungry and ate a lot. The two decided to go fishing after breakfast, determined to catch fish even if they had to drain the river dry.
As usual, five fat rabbits were neatly arranged at the entrance. Xuemei quickly prepared food for Zhongnan, who only ate one meal a day. The little guy now needed to eat three rabbits to be full. Xuemei skillfully skinned and cut the rabbits, cooked them, and fed them to Zhongnan after they cooled down.
Cuihua was killing chickens in the yard. She was going to kill two chickens today: one to make soup for Nannan, one to be used for the roof beam, and the other two to be kept in the chicken coop for later consumption.
There was a knock on the door. It was Tang Jianjun's wife and Ma Dasao. They had come to help. There was so much to do today. They had to knead dough to make steamed buns and small dumplings, and they also had to clean the pig's head to make an offering. There was just too much to do.
The village chief, Tang Jianjun, and some of their childhood friends had already started working on the new house. They estimated that they could finish everything in two hours and then they could put up the roof beam.
Tang Jianjun is a very meticulous person. He started from the outside and checked each door and window, determined to eliminate all dangers. It took him a full hour to check the new house. It was very safe and there were no hidden dangers. However, his eyes swept over the beam on the open ground and he felt something was wrong.
This beam was cut down from a large tree by several people working together, but something seemed off. They quickly went over and examined it carefully, finally discovering the problem: someone had sawed through the middle of the beam, but probably gave up after a few cuts to avoid being discovered.
They quickly called over Grandma Yan and the village chief. This discovery infuriated everyone present. Although these holes were relatively shallow and not a big problem, it was still a serious matter to raise the roof beam today. Was this person deliberately trying to cause trouble? Who was this person? They had to find him and send him to jail. He was too vicious.
Yan Xiaoqiang felt this was too unlucky. He thought he should find another day to raise the roof beam. But when he looked at the almanac, he found that the auspicious day for raising the roof beam was more than a month away. He couldn't afford to keep all that pork, and it was already the end of June.
Grandma Yan thought for a moment and realized that the beams on the roofs of those wealthy households used to be carved with many patterns, such as dragons and phoenixes, so whoever knows how to carve should carve an auspicious pattern on this spot.
Without hesitation, Tang Jianjun took out his tools. "I can carve, but what should I carve?" Grandma Yan asked.
Everyone thought it was wonderful. The bat pattern was small, and with the limited time, it could be carved quickly. Most importantly, the bat had a good meaning; the arrival of a bat meant good fortune, bringing blessings into the home—what a wonderful symbol!
Without a word, Tang Jianjun got to work. In less than an hour, five lifelike bats appeared on the beam, completely concealing the saw marks. After finishing the last cut, Tang Jianjun shouted, "Five Blessings Arrive at the Door!"
Thunderous applause erupted. Tang Jianjun had done a fantastic job today. Such skill... alas, what a waste! Grandma Yan shook her head. "It won't be a waste. Just wait and see. In twenty years at most, you will definitely live a good life because of this skill of yours."
Tang Jianjun clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute to Grandma Yan, saying, "Thank you for your kind words."
When the time came, Yan Xiaoqiang lit the firecrackers, which crackled and popped throughout the village. The louder the firecrackers, the more auspicious they seemed. The Yan family beamed with joy. Grandma Yan wrapped red paper on both sides of the main beam, symbolizing a prosperous and thriving future.
Cuihua had already set up a square table in front of the new house, with a red ingot pasted on the pig's head in the center. Chickens and fish were placed on either side. As for the fish, Zhongnan had gone to the river and caught it from the bottom, leaving Xinan and Beinan speechless with envy.
A ladder was placed in front of the table. Yan Dongnan stood on the ladder with a large basket in his hand. Xinan and Beinan held the ladder firmly with their hands. Cuihua stood on one side of the table with a large winnowing basket, ready to receive the gifts.
The main beam had already been placed under the new house, with three men standing at each end, symbolizing good fortune. After the firecrackers stopped, the village chief shouted, "Raise the beam!" The men at both ends began to pull the ropes and hang the main beam on top. Yan Xiaoqiang stood by the rafters where the main beam was placed, waiting.
The village chief began to sing loudly:
On this auspicious day, the gates of joy open, and eight immortals bring treasures. I ask where these treasures are being delivered, and they are delivered to your esteemed gate. This treasure is at the head of the street in the east of the house; you will have more than enough to buy land and property.
Southeast quickly tossed a handful of candy to Cuihua, who caught it with her winnowing basket. Seeing that she had caught it, the village chief continued singing:
The landlord receives two treasures, signifying many and early descendants.
Southeast quickly tossed a handful of glutinous rice balls to Cuihua, who caught them with her winnowing basket. The village chief smiled and continued singing:
The landlord receives three treasures, ensuring a life of plenty year after year.
Southeast tossed the steamed bun to Cuihua, who caught it with her winnowing basket. The village chief continued singing:
Holding red wedding candies, they scatter them from the east beam to the west beam; scattering them on the beam brings forth a noble son, scattering them at the end of the beam produces a top scholar. The elderly who pick them up gain blessings and longevity, the young gain a son; men who pick them up grow strong like oxen, women who pick them out are more beautiful than peonies.
Dongnan hurriedly scattered the colorful candies from the basket onto the beam, from left to right and from right to left, again and again. The villagers felt sorry for him, thinking, "What a spendthrift!"
The village chief didn't care about any of that. He quickly climbed the stairs, took the basket from the southeast, and sang:
Store up grain, store up grain, may your descendants be numerous, your livestock thrive, and your granaries be full of rice; as I descend the stairs, may the craftsmen of the house become wealthy.
After the village chief came down the stairs, Dongnan quickly climbed up the rafters from the other side to wait. Grandma Yan lit the firecrackers herself, and the deafening crackling sound of the firecrackers rang out.
Grandma Yan lit three incense sticks, inserted them into the incense burner, took two steps back, watched the wisps of smoke rise, and knelt down devoutly.
Upon seeing Grandma Yan kneel down, Yan Xiaoqiang and Yan Dongnan shouted, "Raise the beam!" and pushed the beam into the rafters with a clang, completing the ceremony.
Xuemei quickly helped Grandma Yan up. Yan Xiaoqiang and Yan Dongnan also came down from the roof beam and knelt down in turn. Cuihua had already put the three treasures she had received into her room, waiting for the furniture to come in so she could put them in. She also took out the sleeping Yan Xiaonan. Even if he was asleep, he still had to kowtow. She could just hold him and kowtow.
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